George Coetzee and Chris Wood were tied going into the final stages of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but they had not yet shaken off Sergio Garcia as a thrilling finish loomed.
England’s Wood started the day with a three shot advantage, but his hopes of a maiden European Tour title were dented by a double bogey at the short third.
Having missed the green, the 25 year old’s second hit a rock face, although consecutive birdies from 35 and 20 feet at the eighth and ninth saw him turn in a level par 36.
By then South African Coetzee – another perennial bridesmaid chasing a first European Tour victory – had charged ahead with three birdies in four holes from the sixth followed by a glorious eagle at the tenth.
Another birdie followed at the 16th, but Wood drew level with a 12 foot birdie at the 14th.
At 15 under par the pair were level with one and four holes remaining respectively, while Garcia was only one back after four birdies in seven holes from the eighth. The Spaniard had three holes left to play.
The South African was back in front on his own when he pitched to five feet at the last and completed a best-of-the-day 65.
Wood salvaged a par on the 15th after a really poor second shot, but he needed a birdie to force a play-off and Garcia had to pick up shots at the last two.
